2025/2026 Season Reviews

Set 5: Kinks and Quirks

Kalimac Blog — by David Bratman

“…it was heavy, intense, even vicious, despite the small size of the orchestra.”

Set 4: Pearls of Sorrow

Parterre Box — “By Spirit Alone,” by Matthew Travisano

“A sublime Reginald Mobley and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra are a balm for troubled times in a program of baroque selections and spirituals.”

“One of the more life-affirming events I can imagine”

“I applaud the orchestra’s management for programming a concert with the box-office-threatening title ‘Pearls of Sorrow’ at a time when escapism would be understandable given our anxious age.”

“For those who embraced a program that leaned into grief and resilience, they were rewarded with a concert that was both smart and moving. And it was performed by artists daring enough to approach what could have been a pass-the-Kleenex affair with class. Here’s to hoping that other performing arts organizations follow Philharmonia Baroque’s lead in these anxious times. There are pearls to be found amidst the sorrow.”

Set 3: Baroque Garlands

BANG / Mercury News, Jan 4: Former conductor to lead Philharmonia Baroque in concert series

OperaWire, Jan 1: Nicholas McGegan Leads Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale in Two Concerts

The Rehearsal Studio (Stephen Smoliar), Jan 1: McGegan to Return to PBO Early Next Month

BroadwayWorld, Dec 29: Nicholas McGegan to Return to Lead Philharmonia in BAROQUE GARLANDS

Jan 30 – Photo highlight in the San Francisco Chronicle Datebook “Beyond The Super Bowl: The Bay Area experiences visitors shouldn’t miss” events roundup

Jan 30 – Inclusion in Patch‘s “8 Things To Do In Northern CA If You Don’t Care About The Super Bowl” calendar round up.

Feb 2 KRON4 LIVE! In The Bay Interview with Nic

Feb 5 BERKELEYSIDE: Around Berkeley: Black History walking tour, Friday wine, Charli XCX movie. Other events include an orchestra playing Baroque music, a movie screening on Black Studies in the Bay Area and two Latin dance series.

Feb 5 Bay Area arts: 11 great shows and concerts to catch this weekend

Feb 5 The Voice of San Francisco’s “Out and About Feb. 5 through Feb. 11, 2026” event roundup

Jews & Music

J Weekly – Jan 2: In Bay Area, ‘Jewish Nightlife’ will resurrect music, vibes of ‘the roaring 1570s’

“…the concerts are a rare chance to get a glimpse into a past that has much to say about the present.”

SF Chronicle – Jan 30: How Philharmonia Baroque upends stereotypes about Jewish music

“Jewish music is often reduced to a handful of clichés … But Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s series ‘Jews & Music’ turns these notions upside down.”

“The commentary … made these Baroque deep cuts feel brand new.”

“It is easy to classify what we think Jewish music is, but … Jewish music has always been multiple things at once: contemporary and old, particular and universal.”

“Jewish Nightlife makes the case for refusing easy notions of identity.”

Set 2: Gloria

Previews: Local News Matters Best Bets: Philharmonia Baroque’s “Gloria” and SF Gate BCNARTS: Best Bets: Philharmonia Baroque Performs ‘Gloria’ Across The Bay Area

“To hear vocal holiday splendor by the folks who really know what they are doing, take in one of the programs titled “Gloria” presented by beloved Bay Area stalwarts, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, in three locations this weekend.”

Same article by Michael Zwiebach – SF Chronicle & SFCV:

SF Chronicle: Philharmonia Baroque surprises with dazzling new works in San Francisco holiday program Dec 6

SFCV: Philharmonia Baroque’s winter program blends tradition with modern brilliance Dec 8

“Philharmonia Baroque surprises with dazzling new works in San Francisco holiday program”

“The orchestra’s warm but incisive string tone was on full display.”

The pastoral final movement… was a primer on what a cohesive string section should sound like.”

“The final fugue [in Gloria] left the audience delirious with excitement.”

Joshua Kosman – 12/11/25: A dazzling program highlighted a new choral masterpiece with a Baroque tinge

“Saint-Agathe led a rousing and superbly dramatic account of Vivaldi’s Gloria.”

“… the Chorale came to the fore time and again with singing of spirited brilliance. Old and new music have rarely got along so splendidly.”

Joshua Kosman – 12/17/25: Retro Grading: A look back at the musical and theatrical highlights of 2025

“The Holdfast (Dec. 5) In its U.S. premiere by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale conducted by Valérie Saint-Agathe, Caroline Shaw’s bleak and beautiful setting of Thomas Hardy’s poetry was a reminder of how much is possible with period instruments in the contemporary world.”

Set 1: Fury and Heartbreak

SFCV: Philharmonia Baroque Spins Eloquent Tales of Woe—Nicholas Jones on October 21, 2025

“[Luks] conducted with grace and intensity, coaxing a colorful palette of groans, sighs, tears, and tenderness from the orchestra,”

Soloist Maya Kherani “was fully equal to the startling leaps and vocal pirouettes that Handel requires. Rapid-fire scales and arpeggios came out effortlessly and hit home. There were some audible gasps from the audience.”